Palawan monitor (Varanus palawanensis)

Short answers

Palawan monitor: How big does the enclosure need to be?

250×120×150 cm for a pair.

Palawan monitor: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot Basking spot 44–50 °C, at night 22–26 °C.

Palawan monitor: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 12.0).

Palawan monitor: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Palawan monitor: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

22–26 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 44–50 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

250×120×150 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a water section and sturdy climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects, rodents, fish and eggs depending on the species; regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

100–130 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Palawan, the Philippines

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs (1.1) in a very large enclosure is possible - monitors are solitary animals whose home ranges may overlap but which rarely meet in the wild, so adult pairs usually get along given enough space. Several males, however, must never be housed together: rivals engage in ritual combat in which the loser can be seriously injured.

Notes

A Philippine endemic; as an adult it eats fruit in large part — unusual for a monitor.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Palawan monitor (Varanus palawanensis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes) – Expert
• Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) – Expert
• Blue tree monitor (Varanus macraei) – Expert
• Blue-tailed monitor (Varanus doreanus) – Intermediate to expert
• Finsch's monitor (Varanus doreanus finschi) – Expert
• Boatsi tree monitor (Varanus boatsi) – Expert
• Bogert's tree monitor (Varanus bogerti) – Expert
• Lace monitor (Varanus varius) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Palawan monitor (Varanus palawanensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (250×120×150 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a water section and sturdy climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.